10 magnificent home improvement ideas

Angela Brown

Contributing Writer

With Spring in full force (finally!) now is a great time to start tackling some of those home improvement projects around the house. Whether you need more storage for your office or a better place to put the shoes and coats at the end of the day, we've got you covered.

We're sure you'll want to add some of these awesome ideas to your honey-do list!

1. Custom DIY breakfast nook with hidden storage This awesome nook is perfect for small kitchens. Simply tuck it away into a corner and add a small bench. If you prefer, try making this same bench in the entryway and attach hooks to the walls for a place to corral shoes, coats, and backpacks. Check out the full tutorial from Ana White.

2. Accent bathroom wallJust because you have a small bathroom doesn't mean it has to be dull! Check out this adorable accent wall idea from J Schulman and Company. The project is easy enough to complete in one day. (If you are using this near a bathtub or shower, you may want to install tar paper first to prevent condensation.)

3. Textured shower floorIf you want a cheap way to spruce up the shower, try creating a cool pebble floor. You can collect rocks from your neighborhood or buy them for a few dollars at a local store. It takes a bit of work, but you can finish this in a weekend! Check out the details from DIY Network. Note: DIY recommends purchasing stone tiles, but you can use individual stones, just make sure to look stones that are flat on at least one side.

4. Hide the garbage cansGarbage cans and recycling cans are a great convenience for city dwellers, but they don't have to be an eyesore. Try this DIY project from Popular Mechanics. One tip: Keep it simple and make sure it's easy to access your cans when you need them.

5. Fancify the vent coversWhy stare at boring white vents when you can turn them into a decorative piece on your walls? You can buy decorative floor and wall vents from most hardware/home improvement stores, a la At Home with the Ellingtons. If you're feeling cheap, just remove the vents and give them a fresh coat of colorful paint.

6. DIY recessed wall storageYou can create more shelf space on your walls if you know where to look. The idea is to use a recessed shelf so that you don't lose foot/elbow room in the process. You can do this by installing the shelf in your wall between studs. Get step-by-step instructions from The Diary of a DIYer.

7. Give your backyard patio a makeoverFreshen up your backyard patio for less than $100 (depending on paint costs). After cleaning the cement, you'll tape a pattern using painter tape and stain, after allowing it to dry, apply a sealant to keep your hard work safe! Check out the result of this DIY from Beneath my Heart.

8. Spruce up the base of your houseGive your curb just a little more appeal by applying fake stone panels to the naked base of your house. Real stones are very heavy and probably should be attached when the home is built, but fake stone looks just as nice and it's simple to install. Check out the how-tos from Family Handyman.

9. Frame your Bathroom MirrorSpruce up your bathroom on a budget just by adding a frame to your bathroom mirror. This simple project takes a few hours (but most of that is drying time!) Check out the full tutorial from Cherished Bliss.

10. Chalkboard CupboardAdd a little personality (and function) to your kitchen without taking up extra wall space. You can create your own with some chalkboard paint and border from the hardware store. Check out more about this project at My Desert Cottage. ​